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Theoklymenos
What is this man’s country, and where did he come from, to land here?
What is this man’s country, and where did he come from, to land here?
Helen
He is a Hellene, one of the Achaeans who saiIed with my husband.
He is a Hellene, one of the Achaeans who saiIed with my husband.
Theoklymenos
What kind of death does he say Menelaos died?
What kind of death does he say Menelaos died?
Helen
The most piteous, in the watery waves at sea.
The most piteous, in the watery waves at sea.
Theoklymenos
On what part of the barbarous ocean was he sailing?
1210
On what part of the barbarous ocean was he sailing?
1210
Helen
He was cast up on the harborless rocks of
Libya
.
He was cast up on the harborless rocks of
Libya
.
Theoklymenos
How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?
How did this man not perish if he was sailing with him?
Helen
There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.
There are times when common men have more luck than their betters.
Theoklymenos
Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?
Where did he leave the wreckage of his ship before coming here?
Helen
Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos!
1215
Where ruin may come upon it— but not on Menelaos!
1215
Theoklymenos
He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?
He is already ruined. In what ship did this man come?
Helen
Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.
Sailors happened to meet him and took him up, as he says.
Theoklymenos
Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to
Troy
in your place?
Where then is that mischievous creature that was sent to
Troy
in your place?
Helen
You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.
You mean the cloud image? It has gone into the air.
Theoklymenos
O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain!
1220
O Priam, and Trojan lands, how you have perished in vain!
1220
Helen
I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.
I too have shared misfortunes with Priam’s race.
Theoklymenos
Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?
Did he leave your husband unburied, or did he hide him in the earth?
Helen
He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!
He is unburied; I am so unhappy in my troubles!
Theoklymenos
It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?
It is for this that you have cut your locks of golden hair?
Helen
Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here.
1225
Yes, for he is dear to me, whoever he is, being here.
1225
Theoklymenos
She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .
She rightly weeps for this misfortune. . .
Helen
It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!
It is certainly easy to escape your sister’s notice!
Theoklymenos
No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?
No, indeed. Well, what now? Will you continue to live at this tomb?
Helen
Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?
Why do you jeer at me? Won’t you let the dead man be?
Theoklymenos
No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.
1230
No, for you are loyal to your husband and avoid me.
1230
Helen
No longer; begin my wedding now.
No longer; begin my wedding now.
Theoklymenos
It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.
It has come after a long time, but still I commend you for it.
Helen
Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.
Do you know what you should do? Let us forget what is past.
Theoklymenos
On what terms? One good turn deserves another.
On what terms? One good turn deserves another.
Helen
Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
1235
Let us make a truce; be reconciled to me.
1235
Theoklymenos
I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.
I relinquish my quarrel with you; may it go away on wings.
Helen
Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—
Now by your knees, since you are indeed a friend—
Theoklymenos
What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?
What thing do you hunt after, that you stretch out a suppliant hand to me?
Helen
I wish to bury my dead husband.
I wish to bury my dead husband.
Theoklymenos
What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
1240
What? Is there a tomb for the absent? Or will you bury a shadow?
1240
Helen
It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—
It is customary among the Hellenes, whenever someone dies at sea—
Theoklymenos
To do what? The race of Pelops is certainly clever in such matters.
To do what? The race of Pelops is certainly clever in such matters.
Helen
To carry out the funeral rites in empty woven robes.
To carry out the funeral rites in empty woven robes.
Theoklymenos
Hold the funeral; set up the tomb wherever you wish.
Hold the funeral; set up the tomb wherever you wish.
Helen
We do not give burial like this to sailors who have perished.
1245
We do not give burial like this to sailors who have perished.
1245
Theoklymenos
How then? I know nothing of the customs in
Hellas
.
How then? I know nothing of the customs in
Hellas
.
Helen
We take out of harbor to the sea all that is the dead man’s due.
We take out of harbor to the sea all that is the dead man’s due.
Theoklymenos
Then what am I to give you for the dead man?
Then what am I to give you for the dead man?
Helen
This man knows, but I have no experience, as I was fortunate before.
This man knows, but I have no experience, as I was fortunate before.
Helen. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
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